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Home » Tech » This Article Launches Genetic Project to Save Northern White Rhino POSTED BY DEBBIE L. SKLAR ON FEBRUARY 26, 2015 IN TECH | 346 VIEWS | LEAVE A RESPONSE

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Nola, a Northern White rhino at the Safari Park at the . Photo via The San Diego Zoo SUBSCRIBE

With support from the Seaver Institute, geneticists at San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research are taking the initial steps in an effort to use cryopreserved cells to bring back the northern white rhino from the brink of .

Living cells banked in the San Diego Zoo’s Frozen Zoo have preserved the genetic lineage of 12 northern white rhinos, including a male that recently passed away at the Safari Park. Scientists hope that new technologies can be used to gather the genetic knowledge needed to create a viable population for this disappearing subspecies, of which only five are left.

“Multiple steps must be accomplished to reach the goal of establishing a viable population that can be reintroduced into the species range in Africa, where it is now extinct,” said Oliver Ryder Ph.D., director of genetics for the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. “A first step involves sequencing the genomes of northern white rhinos to clarify the extent of genetic divergence from their closest relative, the southern white rhino.”

The next step would require conversion of the cells preserved in the Frozen Zoo to stem cells that could develop into sperm and eggs. A process to do this was successfully developed in the laboratory of Dr. Jeanne Loring of the Scripps Research Institute and published in 2011.

“If we can take reprogrammed cells and direct them to become eggs and sperm, we can use in vitro fertilization to generate a new animal,” said Jeanne Loring, director of Regenerative Medicine for the Scripps Research Institute. “Bold new initiatives are required to save endangered species, and we recognize the application of stem cell technology using cells in the Frozen Zoo provides hope for preventing , with scientific innovation helping to lead these efforts.”

Researchers at the Safari Park have been working for decades to breed the species but had only four aged individuals to work with. After the recent death of the male rhino, Angalifu, reproductive physiologists from the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research collected and cryopreserved 200 vials of sperm and 75 vials of testicular tissue. This sperm, along with previously collected semen saved in the Frozen Zoo, will be utilized for future assisted reproduction efforts.

“The reproductive system of rhinos is very complex and there is still so much we do not know,” said Barbara Durrant Ph.D, reproductive physiologist at the San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. “We will meet the challenge to save this beautiful animal by combining recent advances in genetic and reproductive technology with our expertise in animal care and welfare.”

The Seaver Institute has awarded San Diego Zoo Global $110,000 to fund whole genome Olympus TG­1iHS 12 MP Waterproof sequencing of northern and southern white rhinos in an effort to characterize genetic Digital Camera with 4x Optical Zoom diversity. Understanding the genetic differences between rhino species will allow scientists to (204) determine what assisted reproduction mechanisms may be used for future conservation. $509.95

“The Seaver Institute supports fundamental research and innovative inquiry for particular projects that offer the potential for significant advancement in their fields,” said Victoria Dean, president for the Seaver Institute. “We are interested in supporting this project which will take advantage of the, until now, theoretical value of the Frozen Zoo.”

Only one northern white rhino, an elderly female, remains at the Safari Park. Three other northern white rhinos are in the in Kenya and one is in the Dvur MOST POPULAR TODAY Kralove Zoo in the Czech Republic. The five remaining rhinos are all of an advanced age and have not reproduced. Shooting Closes I-8 in El Cajon, Creating Commuting Mess >> Subscribe to Times of San Diego’s free daily email newsletter! Click here 1,001 views Chargers Fans to Task Force: Keep Team in Mission Valley Recommend Share 199 855 views Fans Rally for Chargers Before Stadium Task Force Hears Public POSTED IN TECH | TAGGED CRYOPRESERVED CELLS, EXTINCTION, FROZEN ZOO, INSTITUTE FOR CONSERVATION RESEARCH, 821 views SAFARI PARK, SAN DIEGO ZOO, SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, SEAVER INSTITUTE, WHITE RHINO San Francisco Bishop Appointed to Lead San Diego Diocese 761 views Fort Worth Tests New Encounter Rules with Chinese Ship 680 views

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